The Dream Househttp://thedreamhouse.org
#thestreetisnot4kidsTue, 03 Jul 2018 05:59:07 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8http://thedreamhouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/cropped-DIGITAL-FLYER-DH-125x125-32x32.jpgThe Dream Househttp://thedreamhouse.org
3232A Little Dream from Prambananhttp://thedreamhouse.org/2018/07/03/a-little-dream-from-prambanan/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/07/03/a-little-dream-from-prambanan/#respondTue, 03 Jul 2018 05:55:58 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=1085“Kalau sapi sing ning lapangan kuwi yo gedhe, wernane putih, anakke yo gedhe.”
The babbling of a little girl under a bridge. This child is so happy and excited to tell the various things he has encountered around him. Rara this beautiful and always cheerful girl walked on the age of five, the age where a child can absorb things very quickly, the level wants tahunyapun to grow quickly. But in this vulnerable growth Rara with her mother, living under a bridge that is certainly not a place worthy of her very growth. To delve into Rara’s mother’s choice, and certainly not the good thing for Rara’s personal growth. Every day, Mother Rara searches for items that can be picked up and Rara participates with him, so when Rara can not be separated from her mother’s supervision.

At the beginning of our meeting with Rara, she always seemed shy to meet, because of her closed attitude at the time, we tried to have a little conversation with her mother Rara. According to the information we received from her mother Rara, Rara was very eager to go to school.

“Rara is often alone here, the problem is that there are no peers to play with.” The story of her mother.
When we saw the situation, it was near the place where they took shelter, there is a village, it is not uncommon for people, including children, to spend the afternoon there. down, whether for fishing. But none of them are unaware of the existence of Rara and her family. Obviously, seeing things like that, Rara felt so lonely. It’s obvious when we make the next visit Rara who initially shy started to look excited because maybe we are perceived as her friend. Often, Rara’s mother found Rara watching the children in school uniform go home. Rara even often asked her mother for school supplies found in junk items.

“She wants to School.” This morning, he asked for shoes that I received from trashy, and for the school he said, “Her Mother said. We also see Rara’s great will every time we visit.

“the book yesterday where uncle?” Asked Rara
This question surprised us how excited he was to gain knowledge. Rara is an intelligent child in our opinion, she is very quick to grasp the subject, in three of our visits she was able to memorize letters and numbers, surprisingly she was able to count even a little. Ibu Rara’s support and cooperation became our own appreciation, as Rara and her mother often learn together on the margins of their activities. Therefore, it is not difficult enough for you to accompany Rara preparing for school later. Not only in the count, but the knowledge of color and shape is also quickly absorbed by Rara. Once, we tried to invite Rara to tell things he knew with details and the form he wanted to say, and who saw himself so enthusiastic to tell stories.

““Om, aku tau ini. Ini wedhus kan om? Yesterday, I saw in the village, in the cage.” Rara story while pointing to the picture book we carry.
“The color is white, he eat grass isn’t it? Over there, on the ground too.” He continued
It’s been a month since Rara has been accompanying Dream House to have a better life for her development, in the hope that he can be a child growing up as a child in general, who has the ideals and ambitions to continue live better.

This is the story of Rara, sweet little girl. His life in the silence of the bridge, and the roar of a vehicle in the streets would not erase his spirit and his laughter for a better life.Rara Now Garduated From Kindergarden

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/07/03/a-little-dream-from-prambanan/feed/0Ceritaku Untuk Meraih Impianhttp://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/ceritaku-untuk-meraih-impian-2/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/ceritaku-untuk-meraih-impian-2/#respondSun, 08 Apr 2018 14:11:22 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=1039Hi, my name is Ani, and I want to share the experiences I’ve had in the world of lectures. I’ve been a student at a private university in Yogyakarta for two semesters now, something I never imagined was possible before. I’m still unsure how I got to where I am now, but I do know the good God in my life has allowed me to continue my education.
The first time I went to visit my university I was very confused. At first I had to register, complete my files, and other things. It all ended so well until it was time for the lecture to begin. The new environment, friends I did not know before, all gathered into one space that made me even more confused and afraid to start the day. Although they came from different regions, I still ventured to get acquainted with strangers who would later become my friends.

Oh my God, it was so incredible that day! After getting acquainted with each other, there was a briefing from one of the admins and we were grouped with our respective majors. One of my biggest fears during that time was getting used to my new university and making friends with my new colleagues. Time went on and we finally met with shyness and my college professor went into the classroom and began the lecture. Ffrom the schedule of courses, the rules in the campus, and other things, I was very confused about my new environment. It was nothing like my high school before.

On this lecture bench were inevitably demanded to become more mature students. Really, that’s not an easy thing for me. I tried to enjoy the day with passion but when the learning begins, I begin to struggle to compete with my friends in the classroom in academics and non academics. Finally, the first semester went well and when my UTS (Middle Semester Exam) and UAS (Final Exam Semester) scores came in, I went into class with a sense of pride and gratitutde for everything I had. Unexpectedly, my results (the Value Achievement Index) made me proud because I struggled with my studies for the first semester.

Afterwords, I entered the second semester which is almost the same as the last but this time the level of difficulty is much harder. In this semester, me and my friends have been asked to participate in various campus organizations. This makes me more excited because I can gain experience at my university and I can develop my relationships with my friends. I’ll be following UTS in this second semester and I need to study harder.
Besides my experience in learning, I also had an interesting experience with my friends. Indeed we are only 12 people in 1 class but it does not make us discouraged, it makes us become like family. when one of our friends is sad we try to cheer her up and vice versa. in the case of discussion, we often break out in debate, but we usually resolve all of our conflicts without help from teachers. This is a valuable experience in my life that I will keep over the next 4 years and beyond. My friends and I major in English Literature, enter the world of lectures together and will graduate together also. My time at the university is something I am very passionate about, and the next 4 years will not be in vain. This is my story.

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/ceritaku-untuk-meraih-impian-2/feed/0Moving Toward My Dreamhttp://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/moving-toward-my-dream/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/moving-toward-my-dream/#respondSun, 08 Apr 2018 14:03:06 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=1031I’m, Lina, have been with Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia since 2010. Before joining this foundation and going to school again, I worked as a merchant in Lempuyangan Market. My long working hours start from 4 am to 4 pm, but finally I gave up because my body is not strong. A friend offered me a job as a waitress at the Bonbin Cafeteria of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) after I quit my previous job. In this new workplace, I feel comfortable and fit so I’m able to work hard. I work because I’m motivated by my family’s circumstances, especially my father who can not finance my school. Also, my stepmother forced me to work to help the family. She not only forces me to work, but my stepmother always asks for 50% of my monthly income.

I feel my stepmother’s demans are solely for her own satisfaction. In addition, I feel like I’m being used and exploited as a tool for money by my stepmother. However, God is omniscient and loving, and I was grateful to meet my sister and stay with her when I ran away from home. I no longer felt comfortable living with my father and stepmother. She also put me in contact with Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia, so I can chase my dream once more.

I decided to live in Hope Shelter which is one of the Division of Rumah Impian Indonesia Foundation until I graduated from high school. The brothers and sisters I have made at Hope Shelter remind me of my childhood dream and they are my inspiration to study hard in school. Now I am determined to continue my education in college and continue my childhood dream of becoming a nurse.
Sometimes, I remember when I had to struggle to take care of my mother, go to school and make money while still in junior high school. If I were a nurse, there would probably be many mothers out there that I could help and their children would not have to work as hard as I used to. They can stay in school and continue their dreams without worrying about their mother. People in rural areas who still lack access to health facilities and infrastructure were flicking my pity. If I am given the opportunity, I really want to help them by devoting my nursing skills to their need and I also hope to share a bit of laughter with them. If I am given the opportunity to go to college, I will devoted all my faculties and try my best to share my love by motivating myself like those who saved me from the darkness of my life.

In 2016, I went to college and took a major in Midwifery in one of the campuses in Yogyakarta. In addition to college, I also took part as a volunteer to accompany my younger siblings at the Education Center Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia.

I would like to tell you a little about my experience while studying at college. Early in college I felt inferior and afraid. Can I follow every course and can I get along with my college friends? But over time I began to adapt and be able to follow all the lectures, and I also can mingle with college friends. It’s an amazing experience.
It did not feel that time went by so fast and I was past semester 1, semester 2, and semester 3 with valuable lessons. Currently I am entering semester 4, which means I will go directly in the process of handling pregnant women who will give birth. Thrilling, but to be able to achieve the dream, I must be able to live and learn as much as possible, so that someday I can help many people to give birth. Spirit!

Yogyakarta, 20 Februari 2018
Lina

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/04/08/moving-toward-my-dream/feed/0Understandinghttp://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/understanding/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/understanding/#commentsThu, 04 Jan 2018 15:28:25 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=979All we see is not the real appearance. Even what we are seeing is the possibility of the outer skin with the wound on the inside starting to rot. She needs a touch on the wound, not on the skin. He needs to know that he needs help.

That’s what I see from Amel. Nobody can control his will except mom. But what my mother taught was not that good, which made this nice girl grow up in a state that scrapes a joke of real smiles.

Nobody will understand where he comes from, without us knowing his roots. That’s what I found when I noticed Amel who was afraid of not studying with his volunteer brothers and being reprimanded by his mother.
One possible possibility is that being close to him as an authority and friend can change his character and realize that there are inappropriate attitudes to make. Not an ordinary friend, but a friend with a million ideas to keep his confidence and laugh. It’s not easy just once or twice, but many times with a heart ready to accept the consequences of the injury.

Slowly teaches patience and humility to make it calmer. But still with the same key as him, not only Amel but all the children need not only a “companion” but a friend. Not a friend who accompanies only “learn and play” but also become peers who understand what has happened to him. Not a limiting friend, but a friend who understands how to help achieve a good goal.

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/understanding/feed/1I want to be a football playerhttp://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/my-dream-is-to-become-a-football-player/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/my-dream-is-to-become-a-football-player/#respondThu, 04 Jan 2018 07:19:16 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=886Football has become one of boys’ favorite memories, also one of Tukangan’s children, Alo, who is now in primary school. Football for him is not just a hobby, but also a dream. He is a fan of Lionel Messi and Gonzales, although he did not know much about them. Alo really liked how they play on the pitch even though he tried not to miss watching on TV when they compete. But he is not confident about his dreams and aspirations, it shows when he tells his dream.

Alo who lived and grew up on the edge of the railroad and the density of small houses around him did not allow him to play football. Not only him, but other friends who also have a hobby of playing football. Even when he goes to school, there is no football field. It is therefore not surprising that sports classes at school are never practiced. To practice or just play in big cities like Yogyakarta, you have to spend money. But Alo did not lose his head, he sometimes took friends on the ground near the hospital. DKT which is far enough away from the house especially if you are walking. Although there is no coach at least, he can train to play football.

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2018/01/04/my-dream-is-to-become-a-football-player/feed/0Princeton student and Oxnard High School graduate pays it forward in Indonesiahttp://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/29/princeton-student-and-oxnard-high-school-graduate-pays-it-forward-in-indonesia/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/29/princeton-student-and-oxnard-high-school-graduate-pays-it-forward-in-indonesia/#commentsFri, 29 Dec 2017 23:18:22 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=843OXNARD, Calif. – When Hector Betanzos won a full ride to Princeton University last fall, the university made him an offer to sponsor a community service gap-year in Indonesia.

The Oxnard High School graduate is taking the opportunity to pay it forward in in Yogyakarta Indonesia.

Since September he has been a volunteer at a local non governmental organization called Rumah Impian or the Dream House in English.

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/29/princeton-student-and-oxnard-high-school-graduate-pays-it-forward-in-indonesia/feed/1SOLIDARITY THAT TRANSFORMShttp://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/29/solidarity-that-transforms/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/29/solidarity-that-transforms/#respondFri, 29 Dec 2017 22:50:33 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=837Street children
The existence of street children in Indonesia has existed since the 1980s, but since the crisis
multidimensional in mid-1997, the number of street children increased rapidly. According to data from the Center for Data and Information (Pusdatin) Department of Social Affairs, the number of street children from year to year shows
significant increase. In 2000, there were 59,517 children in 2002, 94,674
in 2004, 98,113 children spread to large cities. The definition of street children themselves, always quoted Pusdatin Kemensos RI, is a child of 5 to 21 years who spent the most
a lot of time to make a living or wander the streets and in public places. Street children can be divided into three groups, namely:1. Those who live for 24 hours on the road, completely separated from their family2. Those who work on the road but still have a home and family3. Those who take to the streets (or are vulnerable in the street), because his parents have already taken to the streets.

The existence of more and more street children is a problem, especially in large cities such as Yogyakarta. Their presence disrupts the convenience and safety of traffic and is often charged with criminal acts such as pickpocketing or assault. More suspicion than
street children are controlled by some unions, which makes the existence of street children in the big cities disastrous.

Many parties have tried to solve this problem of street children. The government, in this case the district / city government, with various policies and regulations, sought to solve this problem, or at least mitigate its negative consequences. In addition, many non-governmental organizations are emerging to try to solve the problem
street children. Various models of manipulation have been undertaken, various projects and programs have been implemented, ranging from the popular shelters model, to the last quite horrible is the local regulation on the treatment of homeless and beggars issued by many district / city governments.
However, this document is not intended to evaluate the projects and programs of street children.

Others see the “strangers” as rich people who only come to “share for fortune” without worrying too much about their real situation. By building these relationships as well, Dream House NGOs can discover what most street children need through their own recognition and direct observation of their daily lives. In addition to finding their needs, through established relationships, the assistance provided to street children will not just seem “for-for”.
fortune “, but became” the help of a friend “who came out of deep empathy.

In keeping with its vision and mission, the help provided by the Dream House to street children is not only charity (food, clothing), but rather help to empower them. Assistance in the form of entrepreneurship training and mentoring, apprenticeship support, preventive child care scholarships on the street and family support can better achieve its goals when it is ensured by established relationships. Indeed, an obstacle encountered by this solidarity approach is the need to spend a lot of time with street children.

The assistance provided is also long-term. Nevertheless, since the launch of its programs in 2008, good relations with street children have yielded many positive results. The number of street children who have volunteered to study at the Center for Self-Learning Activities (PKBM) with the help of Dream House, there are even 20 children returning to formal school in some schools from the elementary level. until high school with a full scholarship of Dream Home and now 80 Children are assisting in education center to prevent from going to street. The awareness to continue this school continues to increase from time to time, and this does not happen by coercion or lure, but by relationships that are intimately related to the Dream House volunteers.

Finally, Dream House believes that with this solidarity approach, the transformation can take place. It may take a long time, but Dream House is ready to make the trip.

The day on Saturday, December 9, 2017 Young Leaders Initiative of Southeast Asia (YSEALI) cooperate with Gather Community ODD and Yogyakarta merit 50 participants from different communities and individuals to participate in the “Social Innovation Talk on JogjaSDGs Workshop” in Asean Youth Action Projecter (YAA), I represent Yayasan Rumah Impian Indonesia. The theme of this activity is “Social Innovation in Building Local Communities Toward Sustainable Development Goals” in order to develop action plans and link various early Sebai youth communities early to locate the United Nations SDG in Yogyakarta.

In half a day, we have a good lesson. First speaker Kartika Dewi Ayu brother of SabangMaurake, exposing the material with really impressive and so integrated in Benah. The most important part of the material is design thinking, I can not just forget it. Design Thinking consists of 4 stages, including (1) How could we, we must first formulate the question of what inspires us to do something for our environment. In this section, we are divided into two people in each group and begin to wonder why SabangMarauke wants to do the action (this is an example). It really sharpens the brain for thinking, and the questions that are asked are not necessarily appropriate, but that early learning goes to the next level. (2) Brainstrom, in this section we are invited to put forward unreasonable ideas that submissions will find a solution for our actions. The concept in this section is that we give the idea of ​​big or small things, so our idea is smaller to the point if it has found a solution. (3) Theory of change, result of the brainstorm that we formulated in the If statement. . . ., Then. . . . . and that’s why. . . . . (4) Elevator Pitch, unfortunately, we do not practice for this part, but it is the most important part of a community. A statement that speaks of our community and should be delivered in just 30 seconds, when we meet people in the elevator or when we meet influential people. This part is very important to give an impression on our community and for a moment I wonder if Rumah Rumah Impian Indonesia already has Elevator Pitch?

The second speaker was Cahya Wulandari who explained the local development and organization. As soon as possible, we were made to understand how to build the local community and how to involve all groups in the region, especially with regard to the approach was described in detail, which we need to first come meet and participate in the community itself. And in the shortest time, too, we have been divided into groups to be one of the community and to take part in seeing the potentials, problems and solutions should offer us, as well as presented directly.

In addition, there is also an ODD material explanation on the future Jogja ODD 2025 and 2030 and also Satunama to know the community and the more this activity is covered by a concrete action plan as a solution to the problem of Yogyakarta.

During the presentation of ideas from the discussion on Local Community Development
]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/28/dreamhouse-in-youth-asean-actioner/feed/0Nadia and her experience make dreams come truehttp://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/28/nadia-and-her-experience-make-dreams-come-true/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/28/nadia-and-her-experience-make-dreams-come-true/#respondThu, 28 Dec 2017 23:36:16 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=806At the beginning of the activities, there are new children who follow the activities in the dream house. He is named Nadia who is now in seventh grade in one of Yogyakarta’s high schools. He came deliberately to talk to him about his problems at school with his friend. I just enjoy it for daring to say this with me personally. At that time, I chose not to take care of other things or to accompany other children, so Nadia can tell a comfortable story without having to be covered or feared. Because her aunt had already told me about this and asked for advice so that Nadia would not want to leave school.

Nadia is a student who embraces Islam but she chooses not to veil because she thinks she will wear it after feeling internally and mentally. She does not want to wear the hijab but is still out of order and behaves badly. Nadia thinks that she is still learning to understand religion, so she can not be forced to wear a headscarf despite being Muslim. He also said that despite not wearing the hijab, he still fulfills obligations as followers of Islam such as prayer, al-qur’an reading, fasting and so on. He does not want to be hostile to anyone either. He wants to be friends with anyone, regardless of the religion of others. Yes, this is how Nadia was born of an Islamic family and was given the freedom of her family to wear the hijab or not, that’s her right.

Introduction to Nadia I started with her and her religion because it was about what was going on between her and her friends. It has public or public schools with the option that there is no compulsion for Muslim students to wear the hijab. But unfortunately, he receives gossip from his classmates or his closest group. And now, he does not feel comfortable at school, even some teachers who isolate him so indirectly.

At the beginning of Nadia high school he has a small group of 7 people. All his friends are women and are Muslim. They wear the hijab and Nadia becomes the only child who does not wear the hijab. Nadia never questioned her or felt inferior. However, the day has grown the day his closest friends started commenting on him as “Nad, you are Islam does not wear the hijab”, “Nad, you should wear the headscarf do not be aurat”. He always replied, “I do not want to wear the headscarf, but the outside is still often detached, later, if I’m ready, I’ll use the hijab.” Her friends did not arrive there, when Nadia remained adamant not to wear the hijab, he started to stay away even in the urge of all his personal life.

The number of students in her strange class now makes her sit on her own bench without a friend. He used to have a companion, but since the incident at the top of his friend who is not in the group who was not in the nearest group was told to move with another friend . From that moment she was very upset, Nadia thought if her friend was away because she was not wearing a veil? He himself was confused to answer it. In the classroom, he felt very uncomfortable. In fact, he’s always alone wherever he goes, like sports, in the cafeteria, or just chatting with his friends.

One day he was sitting in front of his own classroom, he was reprimanded by a male class brother who was also a member of OSIS. Apparently, Nadia became her sighting because he was often alone. Finally Nadia tells the story to her class sister and gives her a global advice in Nadia’s class. Unfortunately, this makes her more hateful by her friends earlier. The unpleasant words more often, he received as “Nadia, you sukannya ngadu ya”, “from where veiled dong”, “you are diingetin should be seneng”. This is further aggravated with one of his teachers who also publicly rebuked him why he was veiling like his friend.

Nadia is tired of things that happen at school and that should be a comfortable place to learn anything. In fact, he never posted a picture of his family on Instagram and that too is a problem for his friend. His friend immediately commented on Instagram “Nad went out in your family wearing the hijab just your brother yes”. Do not stop in social media only, tomorrow will also continue in the real world. Nadia began to get upset, why not enough at school alone, why until her family is involved in the course. Finally, he fought himself, in other words “force” to wear the hijab at school. One day, two days finally his friend does not comment. She was relieved. But soon after, one of his friends saw Nadia play outside not wearing the hijab. It became a new problem, Nadia finally confused. He tried to tell the story with his family, but he did not get a complete answer.

Nadia even wanted to leave school, but she was banned by her family. Finally, her aunt tells her to come to the activity in the dream house, so she does not feel that she has no friends. Honestly, myself, at that moment, I retain the confusion to make my comments comprehensible. Considering that I had myself lived and while Nadia told me that I had to endure the rage of my memory when I was a kid. As a volunteer, I have to be able to act more wisely to make children think and behave better.

From Nadia’s story, tolerance, courtesy, mutual respect must be taught from childhood. This is not a trivial matter, but it will have a major impact on our country. If from childhood children are good to generalize like that, it will be this country. Indonesia The country Bhinekka Tunggal Ika does not belong to any particular religion, tribe, race or culture. Everything belongs to Indonesia in which various cultures, races, tribes, religions we must learn to keep. If you have to choose from different varieties, choose without having to degrade what is in other people.

It’s time for parents to introduce various religions, cultures, tribes, races since childhood and not a burden for school alone. If this is left to many children who feel uncomfortable and choose to leave school and are no longer eager to realize his dream ..

]]>http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/28/nadia-and-her-experience-make-dreams-come-true/feed/0Poverty All around mehttp://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/27/790/
http://thedreamhouse.org/2017/12/27/790/#respondWed, 27 Dec 2017 23:32:03 +0000http://thedreamhouse.org/?p=790To speak of poverty is to speak of something very close and very personal to me. According to what I have learned from various readings, poverty is a condition in which a person is unable to meet basic needs such as food, education, health and housing. In each standard area, basic needs may vary, so poverty indicators in each region may vary. In Indonesia alone, the basic needs in terms of food are generally understood as the need to eat three times a day with a healthy food composition. While in terms of education, the basic measure is the ability to complete college education (9 years of compulsory education). While in terms of health and shelter, it is the ability to finance hospital care when one is sick and the ability to have a decent and humane place to live.

There are several factors behind poverty, including lack of ability to work and compete in the world of work, lack of capital to start a business, and limited job opportunities. These factors add to the character traits that are unfavorable for a person’s progress, such as being lazy, reluctant to follow the process, and reluctant to move forward. Indeed, there are also other factors that are incidental, such as disasters or disasters.

All of the above shows that poverty is something that should be avoided. However, the reality is that few people can escape poverty. Even according to the information I read, the world’s population with an annual income of less than US $ 935 (US $ 8,415,000 at the rate of US $ 1 = Rp. 9,000) reaches 37% of the world’s population.

For me personally, as already mentioned above, poverty is something very close to my life. I lived two more years in Jombor, Sleman, Yogyakarta Crossroads with the street children community. During my life there, I witnessed my own inability to meet the needs for food, education, health and housing. Every day I testify and I live with my friends street children, we have to fight to earn money in order to buy food. Being able to eat three meals a day with a healthy menu mix is ​​a luxury for us.

All the street children who were with me in Jombor also dropped out of school. Me and most of my friend’s street children dropped out of school because of the family’s economic incapacity. Inadequate parental income forces us to leave school, or even to bury the dream of a better future. To satisfy everyday needs, with a fancy bottle, nails and wood arranged as a simple musical instrument, with the warmth of the sun or rain, we strive to meet our basic needs. Every day that becomes our anxiety is to eat, drink and get dressed. Many of my friends do not even have decent clothes to wear. They are ragged, dirty and shabby.

This essay should talk about my opinion of poverty and what I can do to overcome it, but I can not forget the days when I was with my street friends in Jombor. We had to fight the heat and the rain, but we were always ready to make money. Many of my friends do not think about his state of health. Because it’s hard to find enough money to eat enough in a day, many of my friends spend their money just to smoke, but smoking without enough food will definitely damage their bodies. When the rainy season comes, we are often confused to find shelter. At most we will take shelter in any place such as in front of the shop, in front of the people’s house or under the bridge. Although many of my friends still enjoy their lives.

Most of them are no longer willing to go back to school. They reasoned that there are still many obstacles they face. In fact, if I am asked what can be done to lift them out of poverty, my most important answer is education. I can answer that because that’s what I experienced myself. My life in the streets ended when a street children’s agency launched a mentorship program for street children in Jombor. This institution attracts me because what they do is not much.

They come only two or three weeks and come to chat with us. After we became familiar, they talked about our chances of escaping our poor street child, and the opportunity they were talking about was to go back to school.

Thanks to this program, I finally returned to school after another two years living on the street. I went back to grade 5 and now I am in grade 8 at college. After my return to school, I can continue to realize my dreams. Education was the most realistic way for me to change my life and escape the poverty of chains while I was on the street.

If I remember first of my life in the street and remember my friends who are still in the streets, sometimes I cry. Few of my friends plan to return to school, although the brothers at Dream House (the institution I mentioned earlier, www.thedreamhouse.org) continue to accompany and encourage. Most of my friends are still in doubt. There are still things they are afraid of, as if they chose to go back to school if they had free time like when they are on the road. They hesitate and still hesitate to let life in the streets, which is really the poverty that binds them.

Sometimes, when the holidays I still take the time to visit my friends on the streets. I also invite them to think about their future, even if sometimes they always consider my speech or story that I share with them only the wind that passes in my ears. But that’s what I have to continually show to them. I want one day they will also be aware and will do something to escape their poverty. I will continue to try, because at least that’s what I can do to overcome the poverty that is before my eyes.

* The former street children, joined by Hope Shelter since 2009, This article was written for Young Leaders Camp YCS Indonesia 2012.